USDA’s proposed rule to align the voluntary “Product of USA” label with what consumers think it means collected 3,358 comments during its March-to-June 2023 comment period, with support for the rule dominant, Food Safety News reported on June 22, 2023.
What USDA proposed
- The “Product of USA” or “Made in the USA” claim could be used on meat, poultry and egg products only when they come from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the USA.
- The claim would stay voluntary and eligible for generic label approval, but companies would need supporting documents on file for USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS).
- Other qualified USA origin claims would be allowed if they describe the steps that took place in the USA.
Current policy lets imported meat carry the label if it only passes through a USDA-inspected plant. Farm Action, the Rural Coalition and the American Grassfed Association filed a joint comment backing the rule. Canada said in April 2023 that the proposal raised supply chain concerns but was not a trade barrier.
“American consumers expect that when they buy a meat product at the grocery store, the claims they see on the label mean what they say.”
Tom Vilsack, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
FAQ
How many comments came in?
3,358 individual filings.
What would qualify for the label?
Meat, poultry and egg products from animals born, raised, slaughtered and processed in the USA.
Is the label mandatory?
No. It would stay voluntary.
Source & credit
Source: Food Safety News, June 22, 2023: “‘Made in the USA’ or ‘Product of USA’ favored by the public during comments”.
Also: The Fence Post (Hagstrom Report), May 8, 2023: “Canadian official: ‘Product of USA’ label concerning, but not trade barrier”.